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Call overturned after Farrell challenges

8/21/14: Red Sox challenge a safe call on a pickoff play at first base in the 3rd inning, and after review, the call is overturned

By Steven Petrella
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MLB.com |

BOSTON --- The Red Sox won a challenge in the third inning of Thursday night's game against the Angels when catcher Christian Vazquez picked off second baseman Howie Kendrick at first base.

With two outs, Kendrick singled up the middle. The next batter, David Freese, fouled off the first pitch from Rubby De La Rosa before the second pitch was high and turned into an unintentional pitchout of sorts. As he elevated to catch the ball, Vazquez made a snap throw to first, where Kelly Johnson, a righty, caught it. Johnson swiped across his body to tag Kendrick, who was trying to get back to the bag on the far side. Kendrick was ruled safe.

Red Sox manager John Farrell came out to talk to first-base umpire Mike Muchlinski and challenge the play. After a review, umpires determined that the tag got Kendrick on the elbow just before his hand reached the bag and overturned the call.

Boston is 14-12 on challenges this season.

Steven Petrella is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.